“Yes. So many more,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure what they wanted more of. More of me? More nightmares? It didn’t matter—I would give them both. I would give them everything.
The bench was still knocked over from where the Weaver once stood to face me, so I picked it up and sat behind the loom. A flash of power stole my breath as I ran my hands along the aged wood. It felt better than anything I’d done with my magic so far. Like I was finally alive again after months on my deathbed. A sigh rattled my body with a breath that wasn’t mine, ripping the ecstasy away. I felt it with every drop of blood in my veins. Freezing. Burning. Tearing through me.
Then a voice slowly emerged inside me, gentle, playful even, but carrying a thunderstorm on its back. I recognized it at once.
“Lady, Lady, quite contrary,” it crooned, “how does your darkness grow? With bloody claws and snapping jaws and pretty nightmares all in a row.”
My blood drained to my feet in one painful whoosh, and I gripped the loom so I wouldn’t fall from the stool. The darkness thrummed. Swelled. Invaded and conquered every bit of my body. It couldn’t be…
“Weaver?” I croaked.
“Hello, Keeper,” the grin replied.
Acknowledgments
To all the readers following Nora and the Sandman’s journey through the Dark Dreamer trilogy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! You make this job worth every drop of sweat and blood.
I’d also like to thank everyone at The Parliament House for giving my characters a home. Shayne and Chantal are amazing women to work with! My editor, Jennia, and line editor, Demeter, were invaluable. All my Parliament House siblings are absolutely amazing people! A special shout out to the three ladies there who keep me sane on a daily basis: MB, Sarah, and Candace. Along with my double-publishing-house sister, Marlena, there isn’t a group I would’ve rather done BookCon with this summer. Kristin, Laynie, and Kelley need all the applause for their help too!
My family for being insanely supportive. My mom and sister, Heather, who watched my kids while my husband was deployed so I could go to BookCon. Along with my two nephews, Franky and Jaxon, they had a blast that weekend! Kathy for geeking out over books with me. Nonny, who stored so many things at her house for me before I made it back to NY. And my Dad who had to hear about it on the phone over and over. My husband, Dan, who puts up with my weird writer-ly ways, and my boys—Ian and Ryan—for keeping life interesting.
What is a writer without critique partners? I know I wouldn’t be where I am without Loretta and Lauren who read all my draft zeros but still manage to be excited about the story. Lindsay and Elle have eagle eyes for typos! And KM is an overall magician.
My heart is full because of you all!
About the Author
Amber R. Duell was born and raised in a small town in Central New York. While it will always be home, she’s constantly moving with her husband and two sons as a military wife. Before becoming published, she had a wide range of occupations including banking, bartending (though she’s never tried alcohol), and phlebotomy (though she faints with needles). She also volunteered as a re-enactor at the local Revolutionary War fort and worked near shelter cats which led to her previous crazy cat lady status.
She does her best writing in the middle of the night, surviving the daylight hours with massive amounts of caffeine. Her favorite stories are dark with a touch of romance and a villain you either love to hate or hate to love.
When not reading or writing, she enjoys snowboarding, embroidering, snuggling with her cat, and staying up way too late to research genealogy. She loves to travel and has visited more countries than states. Kissing the Blarney Stone and hand-feeding monkeys in the mountains of France will be hard to beat, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to find the next real-life adventure.
www.amberduell.com
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